Message from the CEO Lary Duncan

MESSAGE

from the CEO

The one thing I have heard from my friends is that they are all glad I am in the office so I can fix all the problems at the ABGA. And of course, for those who thought I was the wrong person for the job, doom is predicted. Well, for the record, neither of you are going to be one hundred percent right.

From this point forward, I no longer have a vote in how things are done at the ABGA. It is you – the 5,000 plus membership – who really controls everything that happens in our association. We are run by a democracy, not a dictatorship. Let me remind you that each and every one of you was given a vote in choosing the director for the area that represents your views on every discipline, rule, policy and/or financial decision that determines how the ABGA operates.

Let’s go one step further with this. Every one of you (in good standing) is welcome to run for a director position in your area. The fact is that in many cases our directors run uncontested. I suspect because the job is a thankless nonpaying one with long hours where no matter what you do, someone will, without a doubt, challenge every decision, whether it is right or wrong.

As for me, I now have over 5,000 new bosses and 16 supervisors (Who have too many problems to count, all needing resolved yesterday, and who also have a ton of great ideas and a few bad ideas that they would like to see implemented tomorrow.), who I need to make happy with a staff of nine office employees. And, that’s if I have any hope at all of keeping this new job.

Many have asked me why I even wanted this job. The truth: the Boer goat business has been very good to me and my family, and I feel I owe it back to the very industry that made this possible. I want to make sure the same opportunities we were afforded (and more) are here for you and the generations to come. Though I do not have a vote, I do have a voice – the same as all you do – in the decisions the ABGA will be faced with today and in the future. And, given the 15 years of Boer goat experience I bring to the table, you can bet I have plenty to say and will be heard.

With the limited opportunity I have had to work with the current board of directors, in my new capacity as your Chief Executive Officer, I can say without a doubt that the current board has your best interest in mind. Given a half a chance, I know they will provide you with the leadership needed to ensure that you will all still be reaping the rewards the Boer goat industry provides for a very long time.

I would like to thank the board of directors and each and every one of you at this time for giving me this opportunity to prove I can help make a positive difference. I look forward to working with all of you in the year to come.

Respectfully,

Lary Duncan

Though I do not have a vote, I do have a voice – the same as all you...